Everything You Need To Know Before You Get Veneers, According to Dr Kayla Teh of Alba Dental Clinic
Expert advice
To get veneers or not to get veneers? We speak to dentist and influencer Dr Kayla Teh to help you decide.
Alba Dental is just about as luxurious as dental clinics can get. Tucked away in Corporate Tower 9 of Pavilion Damansara Heights, the space features stunning limewashed walls, panoramic views and tranquil decor—really, it’s better likened to a day spa than a medical clinic. That said, it doesn’t skimp on service. With nine certified dentists on its roster, state-of-the-art machinery, and 12 treatment rooms, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands from the moment you step into the space to the second you leave.
As for the services available? Well, the basics are a given, but Alba really shines with its focus on aesthetic dentistry. Essentially, the clinic specialises in smile makeovers. A huge part of that, of course, includes the trend of the moment, veneers.
To learn more about the dos and don’ts when it comes to veneers, we spoke to the clinic’s founder (and influencer) Dr Kayla Teh to glean her best tips. Ahead, find out what you need to know before you bite the bullet and veneer up.
What are veneers?
“Veneers are a thin piece of material that you place over your teeth, and they can be made from composite, porcelain, or hybrid material. This bit of material is basically there to improve the shape and the colour of your teeth.”
What does the process of getting veneers look like?
“The interesting thing about veneers is that it is really subjective. Everyone’s anatomy and beauty standards are different, so we really have to work with the patient to modify their smile according to their wants and needs. What we do is we design the veneers from scratch. We take pictures of the patient’s face, we do a 3D scan of their face and we stitch the pictures and the scans together. Once we’ve got the design, we can actually 3D print the veneers so the patient can take a look before we settle on the final design. It’s quite a predictable process that way.”
How much do veneers cost?
“Typically, composites can cost about RM1,000 and above per unit. Ceramics, however, where the material is more durable, can cost anywhere from RM2,500 to RM4,000 or RM5,000. Ultimately, it depends on the kind of tier that you want to go for.”
How do you take care of veneers?
“When it comes to aftercare, it really depends on what kind of veneers you’re getting. As I said, there are two kinds—composite and porcelain. Composite veneers stain a little bit more compared to porcelain, so you’ll have to take better care of them to keep them looking good. Porcelain, on the other hand, is more durable and shiny so it is lower maintenance. For both cases, I do recommend going to a dentist every six months for a cleaning.
“We also always give our patients retainers. This is for a few reasons. First, maybe the patient grinds their teeth at night which can damage the veneers. Alternatively, they may have done braces or aligners before, so the retainer helps ensure that their teeth are being kept in the right place.”
How often do you have to replace veneers?
“According to researchers, composite veneers typically last from about three to five years while ceramic veneers can last for about 10 to 15 years. Again, how long your veneers last depends on how well you take care of them.”
What are the red flags to look out for with veneers?
“The most important thing to consider when you’re getting veneers is going to the right dentist. You need to choose a certified dentist with relevant experience in this field. That, and you have to make sure that your dentist is ethical about the treatment plan they propose—you should be able to trust them.
“In addition, please go to a licensed dentist. These days, you’ll have beauticians offering veneers, and they just do not have the expertise, hygiene practises, and training to do veneers properly. In fact, going to the wrong person can actually cause more harm to your teeth than good.
“You also want to make sure that all of the clinic’s equipment is sterilised before it is used on you. At Alba, we sterilise everything on site, and once that process is complete, the instruments are individually packaged to prevent contamination.”
What is the difference between veneers and crowns?
“There is this trend of people going to Turkey for ‘veneers’ and instead having their teeth shaved into stubs so that crowns can be installed. To be clear, this is crowns, not veneers. The difference between veneers and crowns is that veneers only trim off the outermost layer of your teeth. With crowns, you have to shave the teeth down all the way around to little stubs to fit the crown over. We do offer both treatments, but each has its place and it’s very case-based.
“Crowns are typically used when there is little tooth structure left. For instance, patients who have had really large fillings or root canals. Crowns can help in the long run to protect the remaining tooth structure. Veneers are better as a purely cosmetic option—you don’t want to be grinding down healthy teeth into oblivion to crown everything up when you can just get veneers.”
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Who would be an ideal candidate for veneers?
“A big misconception that people have of me as a dentist is that they assume I will say everyone needs veneers. But honestly, that’s really not the case. To me, if your teeth have been bothering you for a very long time, by all means, book yourself in for a consultation and see what can be done. But don’t just get veneers because they are currently very trendy.
“If you do decide to get veneers, the material that suits you best really depends on your personal needs. If you’re a grinder or a jaw clencher, you might not be a good candidate for composite, especially if we are increasing a lot of length. If, however, you’re just looking for something temporary, like for your big day or an occasion, they could be a good option. Ultimately, it’s best to speak to your dentist to figure out the best choice for you.”
What should everyone know before getting veneers?
“You don’t necessarily have to know, but it can be really useful to know exactly what you want. In a consultation, I can always give my personal opinion, but it’s best for you to have an idea of the look you’re going for so that I can help you achieve a result that you’ll love.
“Maybe before you come in, go and look at celebrity pictures and singers and see which styles you think you’d like for yourself. Obviously, what’s good for them might not be suitable for you because your facial profile might be a little bit different, but it’s a good start.
“Also, when you’re checking the colour of your veneers, make sure you’re doing it in natural light. When we designed this clinic, one thing that I wanted was for the treatment rooms to have big windows and lots of natural light to make it easier to judge the colour of the teeth. The lights in this room were also custom-ordered to mimic natural light for the same reason. Not every dental clinic will be the same, so it is, again, important to do your research and make sure you’re picking the right place.”
For more beauty reads like this, click here. Follow Dr Kayla here. Follow Alba Clinic here.
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